Unusual Option Volume Scan EOD

Scans the entire options market for individual contracts with unusual trading volume. This end-of-day scan identifies specific strikes and expirations with notable activity.

Parameters

Parameter Required Description
NumberOfRecords Yes Number of results to return
OptionType No All, Call, or Put (default: All)
Country No Country filter (default: US)
InstrumentType No All, Stock, or ETF (default: All)

What This Scans For

  • Individual contracts with unusually high volume
  • Volume significantly above historical average
  • Specific strike/expiration combinations
  • Potential smart money activity

Output Information

Returns specific option contracts including:

  • Full option symbol
  • Trading volume
  • Comparison to average
  • Related metrics

Notes

  • EOD scan captures full day's activity
  • Identifies specific contracts, not just underlying
  • Can filter by calls or puts for directional insight

Examples

Top 10 unusual volume contracts
Calls only
Puts only
=opt_UnusualOptionVolScanEOD(5, "All", "US", "Stock")
Stocks only
=opt_UnusualOptionVolScanEOD(5, "All", "US", "ETF")
ETFs only

When to Use

  • Find specific contracts with unusual activity
  • Identify potential catalyst trades
  • Analyze smart money positioning
  • Discover unusual trading at specific strikes
  • Screen for contract-level opportunities

When NOT to Use

Scenario Use Instead
Need underlying-level activity opt_UnusualStockOptionsActivity()
Need unusual OI scan opt_UnusualOptionOIScanEOD()
Need volume leaders by stock opt_OptionsVolumeLeaders()
Need volume change leaders opt_OptionsChangeInVolumeLeaders()

Common Issues & FAQ

Q: What makes volume "unusual" at contract level? A: Contracts are flagged when their volume significantly exceeds historical averages, often 3x or more than normal.

Q: Why filter by calls or puts? A: Filtering helps identify directional sentiment. Unusual call volume may indicate bullish bets, unusual put volume may indicate bearish bets or hedging.

Q: How do I interpret these results? A: Look at the volume vs average ratio. Also consider whether the activity was accompanied by OI changes (new positions vs closing).

Get Access to 1 Billion Usable Market data points IN YOUR EXCEL SHEETS WITH EASY TO USE EXCEL FUNCTIONS

Get started today
MarketXLS Excel Add-in Tutorial - How to Use Unusual Option Volume Scan EOD and Other Financial Formulas
How does MarketXLS work?